Monday, 4 July 2016

Guardiola to 'hug' & 'kick arses' as he gets to grips with Man City squad

The Catalan was unveiled to supporters at the Premier
League club's training ground on Sunday, and he promised to do whatever
necessary to get the best from his new players

Pep Guardiola says he will not be afraid to "kick the arses" of his
Manchester City players as he bids to get to grips with his new squad.

Guardiola
was unveiled to supporters on Sunday afternoon as a weekend-long fan
festival at the club's training ground came to a close.

The
former Bayern Munich boss officially started work at City on Friday, but
with the vast majority of his players either on holiday or involved in
international tournaments he will have to wait before conducting many
personal introductions.

The Catalan did insist, however, that he would do whatever necessary to get off to a flying start in the 2016-17 campaign.

"You will see what [style] we are going to play in the
first game," he told the 5,800 supporters present. "First I have to
meet my players and know them. I know them from TV. I have to hug them,
kick their arse and after I need time to know them. I have an idea but I
need time.

"I played against Manchester City in the last two or
three years many times. I spoke many times with Txiki [Begiristain, the
sporting director]. I know them, I know their quality but they have to
show me, show the fans again. What they did in the past is in the past.
The people don’t come here to remember what they did. We are here to try
again."

Much has been made of Guardiola's tactical approach and
the suitability of his possession-based style to the English game, but
the 45-year-old insists he will adjust to the qualities of his players,
rather than forcing them to take on ideas they are not suited to.

"My
tactics adapt to the quality of the players," he added. "I cannot
demand something they are unable to give me. I cannot talk about my
players if I do not feel it."READ MORE | Guardiola unveiled at Man City
Guardiola arrives at City with 22 trophies to his name, having won
15 with Barcelona and Barca B and seven with Bayern, and he insists he
is aiming to "prove" himself just as he did at his two former clubs.

"I proved myself in Barcelona and after I proved myself in Germany and I wanted to prove myself in England.

"The
players are coming to try every game, every weekend so that the
Manchester City people can be proud. We will see what is our level to
achieve our battles.

"I want the people who enjoy football to be proud of what we did. After
that, maybe we will win our titles. I cannot do that alone. I need the
players, the staff. We need our fans. Without that, it is impossible."